Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10272831June 4, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE...EVERYTIME I HAVE THE OIL CHANGED BUT IT SEEMS TO BE LOSING A LITTLE BIT OF OIL. I NEED TO ADD OIL EVERY 200 TO 300 MILES TO THE ENGINE....I'VE CHECKED FOR OIL LEAKS..CANT FIND ANY...PLEASE ADVISE...REAR SEALS? MAYBE *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272547June 1, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CONTROL ARMS ON THE VW 2002 PASSAT. I RECENTLY REPLACED AN UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT AND NOW HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THREE OF THE FOUR CONTROL ARMS ON THE LEFT SIDE. I FELL THESE ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270254May 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY A FAULTY BOLT. THE OIL PUMP BOLT FAILS ON 3.6'S AND THE ENGINE SELF-DESTRUCTS DUE TO NO OIL PRESSURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270102May 27, 2009
STEERING
WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR, IT WILL INITIALLY TURN OVER BUT WILL THEN SHUT DOWN. THE IN DASH COMPUTER STATES A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT THE REPAIR BILL WOULD BE $2000.00. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, EXCEPT THAT THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON THEM WHILE DRIVING. THE GENTLE I SPOKE WITH EXPLAINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP CAN ALSO OCCUR WITH MINE. HE THEN STATED THAT VW AMERICA WAS GOING TO PAY FOR APPROXIMATELY 800.00 OF THE REPAIR BILL AND I WILL HAVE TO COVER THE REST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269667May 22, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2005 PASSAT TDI THAT HAD ITS BALANCE SHAFT MODULE AND CHAIN THAT DRIVE THE OIL PUMP FAIL AT 92,000 MILES. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AND I HAD TO STOP THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC THAT IS DOING THE JOB IS CHARGING ME $1500 FOR THE REPAIR AND THE PARTS ARE ABOUT $1300. I HAVE STARTED TO RESEARCH THIS FAILURE AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IT IS QUITE COMMON AND VW HAS NOT DONE A RECALL TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND FORCE VW TO RECALL THESE CARS FOR THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269475May 20, 2009
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP ON HER VEHICLE AND PREVENTS IT FROM BEING DRIVEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AND AN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED A MODULE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF UPDATED 6/16/09 *NJ THE LEFT REAR CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WORK, THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 06/17/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269501May 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
VEHICLE WILL NOT START 70% OF THE TIME. VEHICLE STALLS ONCE STARTED. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. QUOTE WAS PROVIDED TO REPAIR, BUT PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269568May 20, 2009
STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A 2006 VW PASSAT, WHO HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LATEST BEING OF MOST CONCERN. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR, IT WILL EITHER NOT TURN OVER AT ALL, OR THE ENGINE TURN OVER, THEN DIE. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERYTIME I AM IN THE CAR. MY VEHICLE IS 4,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, SO NEITHERVOLKSWAGON, NOR MY LOCAL VW DEALER WILL ASSIST ME WITH THE COST (BEING AN '!@#$% AMOUNT OF $1643.00 OUT OF POCKET), NOR HAS A RECALL BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE CALLED AND EMAILED NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS AT VW CORPORATE LEVEL, WITH NO RESULTS. IN DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY FORUMS, WITH MULTIPLE POSTS OF CUSTOMERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, SPECIFICALLY THE 2006 MODEL. I HAVE ALSO WENT THROUGH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO ATTEMPT TO GET ANSWERS ON WHY VW IS NOT DOING MORE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH A PART THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. BELOW IS THE REPLY EMAIL I GOT FROM THEM, INSTRUCTING ME TO CONTACT YOUR COMPANY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME ON THIS MATTER. COPY OF EMAIL FROM BBB-- {I AM IN RECEIPT OF YOUR EMAIL SENT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, INC. UPON REVIEW OF YOUR EMAIL, IT DOESN'T APPEAR AS THOUGH YOU HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. I SUGGEST YOU BEGIN THERE. THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) IS AN OFFICE WITHIN THE NHTSA. ODI CONDUCTS DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS AND ADMINISTERS SAFETY RECALLS TO SUPPORT THE NHTSA'S MISSION TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON OUR NATION'S HIGHWAYS. NHTSA IS AUTHORIZED TO ORDER MANUFACTURERS TO RECALL AND REPAIR VEHICLES OR ITEMS OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT WHEN ODI INVESTIGATIONS INDICATE THAT THEY CONTAIN SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS IN THEIR DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OR PERFORMANCE. ODI ALSO MONITORS THE ADEQUACY OF MANUFACTURERS' RECALL CAMPAIGNS. BEFORE INITIATING AN INVESTIGATION, ODI CAREFULLY REVIEWS THE BODY OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OTHER AVAILABLE DATA TO DETERMINE WHETHER A DEFECT TREND MAY EXIST. WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV}. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269345May 19, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STEERING, POWER TRAIN
I OWN A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN WHICH THE CONTROL ARMS, TIE ROD ENDS, BALL JOINTS, AND BUSHINGS ARE FAILING. BASED ON SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR SIMILAR MAKES, MODELS, AND YEARS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY DAY, AND IF LEFT UNATTENDED, RESULTS IN SAFETY PROBLEMS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. PARTS WILL BE REPLACED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND OLD PARTS WILL BE RETAINED, IF IT IS FEASIBLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269428May 19, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. THERE WERE TWO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MESSAGES DISPLAYED WERE "EMBOLIZATER ACTIVATED MOVE STEERING WHEEL" AND "STEERING LOCK DEFECTIVE". IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION KEY WAS STUCK AND FAILED TO RELEASE. THE FAILURES OCCURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER DISCONNECTED AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED BETWEEN SIX TO TEN TIMES WHILE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM HER RESIDENCE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269433May 19, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
GOT IN MY CAR ONE MORNING AND THE BRAKE FELT LIKE THERE WAS GRAVEL IN THE SHAFT-VERY HARD AND CHOPPY FEELING WHEN DEPRESSING THE PEDAL. BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED A VAPOR CLOUD BEHIND MY CAR BUT THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY IN AIR. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AT THE CORNER THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK QUITE RIGHT BUT THE CAR DID STOP. WENT A LITTLE FURTHER AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO MAKE A TURN AND MY CARE STARTED SHUTTERING AND LOTS OF WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT THE BACK -ACTUALLY ALMOST ENVELOPED MY CAR SO I HAD A HARD TIME MAKING THE TURN DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY AND THE CARS VIBRATIONS. AGAIN THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND CORRECTLY BUT LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. I SAT THERE TRYING TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM BY PUMPING THE BRAKES AND EVERY TIME I DID SO THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HUGE CLOUDS OF SMOKE ENVELOPED THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERS AND THEY CALLED TO SAY THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND CHARGED ME OVER $700 TO FIX. I ALSO HAD THEM DO THE P9 RECALL REPAIR AT THAT TIME. I DROVE THE CAR FOR LESS THAN A WEEK AND THEN HAD A REPEAT OF THE SAME PROBLEM! THIS TIME THE BRAKES ACTUALLY FAILED TWICE BEFORE I COULD GET BACK TO THE HOUSE. I HAD THE SAME THICK WHITE SMOKE AND THE CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHENEVER I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES. AGAIN HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP. THEY ARE NOW FIXING AS PART OF THE WARRANTY TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ISSUE AS THEY FOUND NEW LEAVES CLOGGING THE BRAKE BOOSTER LINES AND FOUND TOTAL FAILURE OF THAT PART. THE VW SERVICE REP SAID SEVERAL GALLONS OF WATER CAME OUT OF MY ENGINE WHEN THEY REMOVED THE DEBRIS. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO DRILL A HUGE HOLE TO ALLOW THE LEAVES AND WATER TO DRAIN AWAY FROM THE BRAKES! LUCKILY, WE BORROWED MY BROTHER'S VAN TWO DAYS BEFORE TO BRING MY DAUGHTER BACK FROM COLLEGE (LOCATED IN LYNCHBURG, VA WHICH IS IN THE MOUNTAINS OR WE MAY HAD THE BRAKES FAIL AND GONE OFF A CLIFF!) PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS-- IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNETHICAL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269435May 19, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS, BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT INDICATORS ON - APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSATS. FAULTY ABS MODULE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, $900 PART. VEHICLE HAS 67,000 MILES AND DEALERSHIP SERVICED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269289May 18, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1. FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACTING WITH SIDE OF PICK UP TRUCK MAKING ILL-TIMED LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME 2. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER SIDE (WHERE NO ONE OR NOTHING WAS SEATED) DID DEPLOY. *TR 3. MY VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10268711May 14, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN 2.0T & ON THE 18TH OF APRIL AS I CROSSED OVER A RAILROAD TRACK THE CAR EXHAUST GOT VERY LOUD. I HAD TO PULL OVER & SHUT CAR OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON SO I HAD MY MECHANIC (NOT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER) LOOKED & FOUND THE FLANGE THAT BOLTS THE WHOLE EXHAUST TO THE MANIFOLD HAD BROKE (CLEAN BREAK ALL THE WAY AROUND ) @ THE FACTORY WELD, ALMOST LIKE IT HAD NEVER BEEN "TIG" WELDED COMPLETELY @ THE FACTORY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268469May 12, 2009
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT AXLE AT 2,200 MILES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING SEVERELY. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 50 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND HAS TO BE WARMED UP FOR AT LEAST TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL SHIFT. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY EMITTING HOT AIR. THE RADIO ALSO DOES NOT WORK ON OCCASION. THE CONTACT HAS ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR EIGHT MONTHS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WORK AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT IT BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 5/27/09 *CN UPDATED 05/29/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268497May 12, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW IT HAS BEEN SAYING THIS: STOP,OIL PRESSURE,STOP MOTOR,SERVICE MANUAL. THIS IS NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER(WHICH IS NOT WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR) AND THEY CHANGED THE OIL FILTER WHICH COST ME $160. MY CAR WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN,AND THE DEALER THEN SAID IT WAS THE OIL PUMP AND WANTED $965 TO FIX IT. I,HOWEVER TOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE GOT THE PROBLEM FIXED FOR $720. IT HAS JUST RECENTLY HAPPENED AGAIN. I WENT TO CHANGE THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS ACCIDENTALLY DRAINED. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM AND NOW SAYS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION,THE CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT NOW FOR LONG. THIS THE SECOND TIME SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268434May 11, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS LEG WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 146,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10268194May 8, 2009
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR CARPET BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME DAMP DURING RAINY CONDITIONS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER RECALL ISSUE AND THEY REPAIRED THE WATER LEAKAGE FOR FREE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED AND THE DEALER CHARGED $196 FOR THE SECOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,210 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,647.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267867May 6, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8 MANUAL SMELLS STRONGLY OF GASOLINE ON A SEMI-REGULAR BASIS. DESPITE THE FACT THAT OTHER PASSATS FROM 1999-2005 ARE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, VW HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SAME PROBLEM IN MY CAR, BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267752May 5, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER, IT WAS THEN SERVICED BY AN AUTO DETAILER. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS TOO MUCH RESISTANCE IN THE WIRING FOR THE AIR BAGS. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR AIR BAGS: TWO IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TWO IN THE SEAT BACKS. THE COST TO REPAIR THEM WOULD BE $600 PER AIR BAG. THE CONTACT REFUSED THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE VOLKSWAGEN'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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